Politicians don't really care about the poor and helpless. They only care about power.

Pennsylvania faces a $4 billion budget shortfall thanks to Slow Eddie Rendell and Ol' Jug Ears. Governor Corbett's budget saves the money by cutting middle class entitlements and subsidies to public employee unions while keeping intact the Commonwealth's programs to help the poor, homeless, and battered women.

The PA House Repansycans have produced their own budget which would restore higher education cuts for the middle class and public teacher unions in order to buy votes and preserve their power. These funds are cut from programs for the poor and abused.

All emphasis below is mine.


From the Main Line Times:

PA House Republicans propose a softening to Corbett's budget

HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania's state House Republican majority on Tuesday revealed more details of a counterproposal to Gov. Tom Corbett's budget plan that suggests softening some of the governor's cuts in education by cutting money from public welfare programs.

In a statement, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph said the plan would restore $387 million to 18 state-supported universities and $210 million to public schools.

"We are committed to easing what we believe was an unfair burden placed on local school districts, colleges and universities" in Corbett's budget proposal, Adolph said in the statement.

To absorb a $4.2 billion projected deficit in the fiscal year beginning July 1, Corbett has proposed $2.6 billion in spending cuts and other measures that do not require raising taxes. His $27.3 billion proposed budget represents nearly a 3 percent reduction from approved spending in the current fiscal year.

His biggest cuts would be to education, slashing more than $1.6 billion in state aid for public schools and the 18 universities.

The education cuts have drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature.

Many of the state's school districts, particularly the poorest ones, are preparing to raise taxes, lay off staff, end programs or close buildings to absorb expected cuts in state aid. University leaders have also warned about belt-tightening, including the potential that tuition would have to rise.

Under the state constitution, budget legislation must begin in the House and would need Senate approval before going to Corbett's desk.

Like Corbett's plan, the House GOP counterproposal would budget $27.3 billion for the 2011-12 fiscal year that begins July 1, and it would not raise any taxes.

Under the House GOP plan, the State System of Higher Education, which includes 14 universities, would see a 15 percent cut in state aid from the current fiscal year. Four state-related universities — Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple and Lincoln — would see a 25 percent reduction in state aid.

Public schools would still have to sustain about cuts of about $1 billion, or about 10 percent.

House Republicans propose taking $470 million out of programs in the Department of Public Welfare, which oversees about $11 billion in social service and health care programs for the poor, children, disabled and elderly.

House Republicans say they believe the state can save money in the programs by cutting down on fraud, waste and abuse.

Yeah, you guys make that one work every time.

Corbett, however, has said he cannot create a budget based on projected savings from lessening waste, fraud and abuse. Democrats say taking money from public welfare programs could further damage the state's social safety net.

Corbett and House Republicans oppose calls to ease budget cuts by using a surplus that totaled more than $500 million at the end of April. Corbett has said he worried that the money might be needed if the economy skidded or tax collections in May or June are disappointing.

Democrats and labor unions have criticized the Republicans' refusal to use surplus dollars to ease spending cuts.

"Instead of playing the blame game, the governor and state lawmakers can help improve public education by providing the resources to help all students," the president of the state's largest teachers' union, James Testerman, said in a statement Tuesday. "Legislators can stop the governor's proposed cuts."